Noticing the OA-10 (PBY) Catalina had one gear up and one gear down, a passing P-51 circled the Catalina and contacted the aircraft. According to the Army Air Forces mishap report, the OA-10 reported everything was under control. The P-51 pilot also noticed smoke from the #1 engine and contacted the OA-10. Again, the OA-10 reported everything was under control. A short time later, the OA-10 crashed killing all seven men onboard.